The European Union has taken a significant step towards reducing textile waste by enforcing a ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, footwear and clothing accessories by large companies. The new requirement came into effect on 19 July under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), marking one of the first major implementation measures of the regulation.
The new rules are designed to keep valuable products in circulation for longer, reduce unnecessary waste and encourage more sustainable business practices across the textile and apparel industry.
A move towards a circular textile economy
Every year, millions of new textile products remain unsold across Europe. Many of these items are destroyed despite being fully usable, resulting in the loss of valuable raw materials, water, energy and labour invested during production. Their disposal also generates greenhouse gas emissions that could be avoided.
The ESPR aims to address this challenge by encouraging companies to extend the life of products through reuse, repair and recycling rather than disposal. The regulation supports the EU’s broader objective of building a more resource-efficient and competitive circular economy.
What companies must do
Under the new rules, large companies can no longer destroy unsold clothing, footwear and accessories as a routine business practice.
Instead, businesses are expected to prioritise keeping products in use through several options, including:
- Selling products through regular or discounted channels
- Offering goods in alternative markets
- Donating items to charities or social enterprises
- Preparing products for reuse through repair, refurbishment or remanufacturing
If products cannot remain in use, companies must follow the waste treatment hierarchy, with recycling taking priority over disposal.
Limited exemptions remain
The regulation recognises that destruction may be necessary in certain circumstances. Companies are permitted to destroy unsold products only in limited situations, including when products:
- Are unsafe or damaged
- Are counterfeit or infringe intellectual property rights
- Have been rejected by charities or donation programmes
Businesses relying on these exemptions must provide supporting evidence, such as inspection reports or test results. They are also required to publish annual information detailing the products they have discarded.
Compliance and enforcement
National authorities across EU member states will oversee implementation of the regulation and may impose penalties on companies that fail to comply.
To support inspections, companies must maintain relevant records for at least five years. Reporting has also been simplified by allowing businesses to use existing customs and logistics codes, reducing additional administrative work.
Small and micro-sized enterprises are exempt from both the destruction ban and the related reporting obligations. Medium-sized companies have additional time to prepare and will become subject to the same requirements from 2030.
Why textiles are the first focus
The ESPR entered into force in 2024, introducing a new framework for improving the environmental performance of products sold within the European Union. The regulation aims to make products more durable, repairable, recyclable and resource-efficient throughout their lifecycle.
Textiles have been selected as the first product category covered by the ban because of their significant environmental impact and the large volume of usable products that are discarded each year.
According to the European Environment Agency, between 4% and 9% of textile products placed on the European market are destroyed before they are ever used. This represents an estimated 264,000 to 594,000 tonnes of textiles discarded annually.
Implications for the textile industry
The new rules are expected to encourage brands and retailers to improve inventory management, expand resale and donation programmes, and invest in product repair and refurbishment services.
For manufacturers and suppliers serving the European market, including those in major sourcing countries such as Bangladesh, the regulation signals a continued shift towards circular business models. Companies throughout the value chain may face increasing expectations to support product durability, reuse and resource efficiency as sustainability requirements continue to evolve.
With the ban now in force for large companies and medium-sized businesses set to follow in 2030, the EU has introduced another practical measure aimed at reducing textile waste while supporting a more sustainable and circular apparel industry.
